ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0050640: Protein Electrophoresis, Serum

Test Mnemonic: SPEP
Methodology: Capillary Electrophoresis

Performed: Mon-Fri

Reported: 1-4 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: One 4 mL SST.

Transport: 1 mL serum at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.2 mL serum at 2-8°C.

Remarks: Separate serum from cells ASAP. For CSF electrophoresis, refer to Protein Electrophoresis, CSF (0050590).

Unacceptable Conditions: Plasma.

Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 month

Reference Interval:
 
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Total Protein-Electrophoresis, Serum 6.00-8.30 g/dL
 Albumin 3.75-5.01 g/dL
 Alpha-1 Globulins 0.19-0.46 g/dL
 Alpha-2 Globulins 0.48-1.05 g/dL
 Beta Globulins 0.48-1.10 g/dL
 Gamma  0.62-1.51 g/dL

Interpretive Data:
Serum protein electrophoresis, when used as a screening procedure, is useful in the detection of various pathophysiologic states such as inflammation, protein loss, gammopathies, and other dysproteinemias.  However, immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) is a more sensitive technique for the identification of small M-proteins found in patients with amyloidosis, early or treated myeloma or macroglobulinemia, solitary plasmacytoma, or extramedullary plasmacytoma.



Note:
A copy of the graph will follow final report.

CPT Code(s):
84160 Total protein; 84165 Electrophoretic fractionation

 

 

 
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